​Over Bitcoin’s history, the most destructive and insidious issue that has threatened the community has been bitcoin exchange risk, or outright fraud run through exchanges. Whether it has been Mt. Gox, Cryptsy, or even cloud mining service Hash Ocean, no other issue has affected more Bitcoin’s users or done more damage to Bitcoin’s global reputation. Yesterday, another bitcoin exchange issue has reached a legal resolution with the case of Coin.mx.

Anthony Murgio, 33, of Tampa, Florida, has pled guilty to several felony charges in relation to the case against the administration of the Coin.mx bitcoin exchange. Murgio was arrested in July 2015 on charges of breaching federal anti-money laundering laws and regulations, as well as on the allegation that he enabled criminal activity by exchanging cash for bitcoins for victims of ransomware attacks.

This is also just part of his alleged criminal activity. Murgio and criminal cohort, Yuri Lebedev, seemed to have also gained control of the Helping Other People Excel (HOPE)Federal Credit Union. The U.S. Attorney in Manhattan said they channeled funds from Coin.mx through bribery, including bribing Trevon Gross, a pastor and former chairman of the credit union.

The criminal activity was ramped up in the volume of funds exchanged through the credit union’s services, and this caught the attention of the credit union regulators at the National Credit Union Administration, which then alerted authorities.

Murgio faces a minimum of 12 1/2 years in prison, according to Reuters, after pleading guilty to three felony counts. These include conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business and conspiracy to commit bank fraud as part of a plea agreement.

“By pleading guilty, Anthony Murgio accepts full responsibility for his conduct,” Murgio’s attorney Brian Klein told Coindesk via email. “Today, he was able to start the process of putting what happened behind him. In connection with his sentencing, we look forward to letting the judge know the many positive things about Anthony.”

The case is also notable for Murgio’s attempts to have the charges dismissed by arguing that bitcoin was not a currency for the purposes of federal law prohibiting the operation of the unlicensed money transmitting businesses. A U.S. District Court judge ruled against the motion in September, finding that bitcoin qualified as the act describes “funds” versus fiat money, specifically. The judge also said that because bitcoins can be accepted as a payment for goods and services or bought directly from an exchange with a bank account, therefore Bitcoins do function as currency.

Author : Evander Smart

Evander Smart worked for many years as a Wall Street banker, and has learned how the economy is self-destructing from the inside. His travels, experience and research have led him to Bitcoin as the best way forward for the common man. He looks to spread the word on how Bitcoin can help anyone break the shackles of economic slavery being created by global establishment forces. Evander gets you thinking about what money really is, and how it will work for you going forward. The world of finance is getting ready for incredible changes, and he is getting ready for what's coming next. Are you? Learn more about "The Future of Money" @ Bitcoin Video University